Raiders' Matt Flynn working himself into leadership role

Oakland Raiders quarterback Matt Flynn takes part in a press conference at the football team's headquarters on Tuesday, April 2, 2013 in Alameda, Calif. (Aric Crabb/Staff)

ALAMEDA -- The last time the Raiders made a quarterback switch in large part because of intangibles, Rich Gannon was as subtle as a drill sergeant and demanded his teammates follow along.

Matt Flynn, the presumptive starter in 2013, has spent a lot of time talking football with Gannon -- the former Raiders quarterback was a color analyst for Green Bay Packers preseason games and spent a lot of time at the facility -- but is taking his time in taking over.

"Everybody has a different leadership style," Flynn said Monday after a Raiders practice. "If you're going to become a leader, you need to find that niche, how you fit into the system, fit into guys in the locker room, and just go accordingly.

"It's something you feel out as you work with the guys and are around them."

The Raiders offense with Flynn and a new system devised by offensive coordinator Greg Olson remains a work in progress.

A week ago, the Raiders came off Memorial Day weekend with a dreadful practice in terms of the passing game before the assembled media. Things got off to a shaky start again Monday. One of Flynn's first passes bounced off the hands of wide receiver Rod Streater, and his next throw was too high for Denarius Moore.

Things got better, however, as the Raiders continued to work on the kind of short, safe throws that keep drives alive before graduating to more intermediate and deep passing.

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"We're doing a lot of motions and trying to get favorable matchups," Flynn said. "There are always deep options, but right now I think we're trying to get some completions, not force anything downfield and really kind of taking what they're giving us."

While Gannon came to the Raiders as primarily a backup, he still had 58 NFL starts. Flynn has just two over his five seasons with the Packers and Seattle Seahawks, so Raiders coach Dennis Allen thinks every offseason practice is crucial.

"Every day he sees a little something new," Allen said. "We've thrown a lot at him, both from an offensive standpoint and what he has seen from our defense. I just want to see him continue to improve and get better. If he focuses on that, the rest will take care of itself."

Punter Chris Kluwe sent his regrets to President Barack Obama regarding an invitation to a reception in honor of Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender month. Kluwe instead will attend next week's mandatory minicamp.

"His job is to really focus on making this football team," Allen said. "That needs to be the biggest focus he has right now. He's of the same mind-set."

Kluwe is competing with Marquette King to replace Shane Lechler as the Raiders' punter.

Safety Charles Woodson, who has yet to work out a deal with Tracy Porter for uniform number 24, is wearing No. 2 in practice. Woodson wore No. 2 at Michigan when he won the Heisman Trophy.

"There's always an open door to negotiating," Porter said. "Everything will work itself out. It's not like we've got a game tomorrow."

King switched from No. 2 to No. 7 so Woodson could wear No. 2 in practice.

Woodson can't wear No. 2 in games because it's not within the NFL's specified range (20 through 49) for defensive backs.